The National Park Service has added the historic First Baptist Church to Nicodemus National Historic Site in Nicodemus, Kansas.
This acquisition was only possible because of collaboration with the First Nicodemus Missionary Baptist Church congregation, the generous donation and dedicated work of the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) and the assistance of the National Park Foundation (NPF).
“Thank you to the congregation of the First Nicodemus Missionary Baptist Church, TPL and NPF," said Cassie Branstetter, superintendent the historic site. "We rely on partnerships with the community, descendants of the Black settlers who established this historic town, and park partners like TLP and NPF. Because of these partnerships, the First Baptist Church is now another physical piece of the Nicodemus story that can be protected and shared to ensure that the national contributions of Black Homesteaders are not lost."
A story of rebirth and salvation is told at Nicodemus, which was put on the map in 1877 by a small group of formerly enslaved African Americans from Kentucky who settled here on the prairie at the end of the of post-Civil War Reconstruction.
Attracted to Kansas because of that state's decision to side with the Union during the Civil War, the settlers established the first Black community west of the Mississippi.
The First Baptist Church dates to 1907 and demonstrates the dedication to faith and religion that helped Nicodemus settlers persevere. For over one hundred years, this building was the site of religious gatherings, baptisms, gospel choirs, community dinners, and other events. The First Baptist Church is one of five historic structures identified in the site’s establishing legislation as fundamental to understanding the history of Nicodemus National Historic Site. The National Park Service plans to rehabilitate the structure over the next few years before opening it up to the public for viewing.
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Comments
Based on past and current NPS efforts to preserve national treasures, this acquisition is highly llikely to result in the deterioration of the church.
Sorry.
You're painting with a pretty big brush, AJ, no?
I mean, have you seen the restoration work being done on Cape Hatteras Light, or the new bridges going in at Yellowstone National Park? A mile of underground pathway has been rehabilitated at Mammoth Cave National Park; the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park in Texas has been rehabilitated; riverbank at eight sites on the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park has been reinforced; water, wastewater, and electrical distribution systems at Rocky Mountain National Park are being upgraded; the historic fort that serves as the foundation for the Statue of Liberty and its pedestal has been repaired; at Fort Pulaski National Monument repair work recently was completed on the historic fort’s iconic brickwork and ventilation systems; work has been done to repair and seismically strengthen the concrete wharf at Alcatraz Island in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
There are many more examples across the National Park System of repairs and upgrades being made in the parks. Are things perfect? No. There are examples where much needs to be done (though you didn't mention any). But it's not as bad as you suggest.
And I think an argument can be made that huge part of the problem is a lack of funding from Congress to pay for the work. Indeed, the House of Representatives is pushing for significant cuts into the National Park Service's two main accounts that fund ongoing construction, repairs, and maintenance.
Also contributing to the challenge is the fact that the NPS has more than 75,000 assets across the National Park System to take care of. And with wildfires, hurricanes, Nor'easters, droughts, and blizzards throughout the year, things will never be perfect.
Yep, I paint with a broad brush.
Of course, the NPS prioritizes its preservation responsibilities and does spend a lot of money on restoration.
That practical reality of NPS funding does not diminish the many failures of the NPS to preserve (not just restore) its properties. If one believes that a small church on the Kansas prairie with a dwindiling congregation is going to hold the fiscal attention of the NPS, then I have some properties in Stehekin, WA for you to buy.
Your point is indeed taken. My brush is broad. And I paint like Jackson Pollack.
Formerly I was able to visit inside the church. Now apparently the NPS has closed it. Good thing I got there before the NPS.